Leaders Bristol City returned to winning ways with a 2-0 home win against Peterborough United, Aden Flint stabbed home from close range to give them a ninth-minute lead and Kieran Agard striking three minutes into the second half after Posh goalkeeper Ben Alnwick had superbly tipped Matty Smith’s shot on to the bar.

Sheffield United, who entertain the Sky Blues on Saturday, strengthened their play-off position as they beat Notts County 2-1 at Meadow Lane to claim a third successive win.

A fantastic finish from Jamie Murphy – his fifth goal in six games – put the Blades in front after 16 minutes. Liam Noble levelled ten minutes before half-time, back-heeling the ball home, but Matt Done scored his fourth goal in three games with a tap-in 15 minutes from time.

Doncaster climbed into sixth place with a 2-1 win at home to Crewe.

George Ray gave Crewe an eighth-minute lead, with his first goal since September, before Uche Ikpeazu – who had a loan spell at Alex earlier this season – went close to levelling for Rovers but was denied by the post.

But he did play a part in Dean Furman’s 62nd-minute equaliser before Richie Wellens curled in a last-minute winner.

Chesterfield slipped to a third successive defeat as they went down 2-0 to Scunthorpe at Glanford Park. Niall Canavan scored for the second game in a row, nodding in a Kevin van Veen corner in the 58th minute, before Paddy Madden’s 15th goal of the season doubled their advantage with three minutes left.